2023-09-09 05:51:29
The African continent will have two representatives for the Rugby Cup (from September 8 to October 28) which begins this Friday, September 8. But if South Africa, reigning world champion, thinks of the double, Namibia, she dreams of her first victory in a world.
Published on: 09/09/2023 – 05:51
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A world of difference, an immense gap separates South Africa and Namibia in the kingdom of rugby when it comes time to represent Africa at the 2023 World Cup. Today, when the Sprinkboks, still set in gold since their coronation in 2019, enthroned on the world of ovality, the Welwitschias are simply trying to exist. In France, the Namibians, who have won the last six African Rugby Cups*, arrive with the dream of finally achieving a first victory in the World Cup.
For their seventh World Cup, since their first participation in 1999, the players led by South African Allister Coetzee, coach of the Springboks from 2016 to 1018, will aim for victory as a priority against Uruguay, the less strong opponent, in a Pool A which they share with Italy, New Zealand and the French hosts. The objective will also be to reduce the gap with the big nations and no longer suffer corrections like in 2003, against Australia and the 142-0 which remains the heaviest defeat in the World Cup to that day.
Namibian Divan Rossouw during the friendly match against Chile on August 12, 2023 in Valparaiso. AFP – JAVIER TORRES
For South Africa, the challenge is also immense: to retain its title, thus imitating New Zealand, the only nation to have achieved the feat (2011-2015), and becoming the only country with four trophies.
“South Africa are the reigning champions, but injuries, notably to number 10 Handré Pollard and 3 or 4 other players, mean they will arrive at the tournament with a slightly reduced squad.warns Herbert Mensah, the new president of Rugby Africa. It’s a bit like France losing Dupont, it quickly becomes a problem. »
Return of Captain Kolisi
But the Springboks, who were not favorites during their coronation in 2019, still arrive with an experienced group, led by their emblematic captain Siya Kolisi, recovered just in time after knee surgery last April.
« We know what to expect now, we have a lot more experienceconfided the South African captain. We arrive as title holders when we were outsiders the last time. We may not be among the underdogs this time, but we’re not the favorites ».
« The main difference between the 2019 World Cup and this one is that we are slightly more expected “, concedes his coach Jacques Nienaber. Especially after their show of force against the All Blacks (35-7) last week in London.
South Africa will start its World Cup on Sunday against Scotland (3:45 p.m. UT), the day before, Namibia will have already played against Italy (11 a.m. UT).
* Due to its high level, South Africa only participated five times and won the competition three times. Each time, the Springboks lined up were either hopefuls (under 23) or amateur players.
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